Dhul Hijjah...The Most Beloved Days to Allah (SWT)

So sacred are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah that Allah swears anoath by them when He says in the Quran:

"By the dawn; by the ten nights" (89:1-2).

Swearing an oath by something indicates its importance and great benefit.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings ofAllah be upon him) said, "There are no days more loved to Allaah foryou to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fastingany day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offersalatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is likeperforming the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e.,Lailatul Qadr]."Ibn 'Umar relates that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "There is no day more honorable in Allah 's sight and noacts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days. Sosay tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah: La ilahaillAllah), takbir (Allah is the greatest: Allahu akbar) and tahmid(All praise is due to Allah: alhumdulillah) a lot [on those days]."[Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shakir stated it is saheeh]

Ibn Hajar rahimahu Allah said the apparent reason they are so specialis because the mothers of the acts of worship of Allah occur in themwhich does not happen in any other days (meaning salah (prayer),charity, fasting, and hajj).

Meritorious acts during the first 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah...

1) FASTING: It is particularly encouraged to fast on the ninth day ofDhul-Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawm Arafa. The Prophet used to faston this day (al Nisai and Abu Dawud).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to faston the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from hiswife that some of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings ofAllaah be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaahbe upon him) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, on the day of‘Aashooraa’, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondaysand Thursdays of each month."(Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawud)

2) DHIKR & TAKBEER: The verbal remembrance of Allah is anothermeritorious act during these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. TheProphet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged Muslims to recitea lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah" ), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") andTakbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.

The Takbeer may include the words "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, lailaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is MostGreat, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is MostGreat and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

3) INCREASING ONE'S GOOD DEEDS: Generally, all good deeds are rewardedhighly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, readingQuran, making Dua (supplication) , giving in charity and being good toour families.

4) SEEKING FORGIVENESS: In addition, seeking Allah's forgiveness atthis time is also encouraged. This means more than just a verbalexpression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firmresolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by givingup bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.

5) EXTRA SALAH AND IBADAH. It is especially recommended to spend somepart of each of the nights of these ten days in prayer and worship.

The Day of Arafah

The 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah is known as ‘the Day of `Arafah,’ because thepilgrims at Hajj gather at `Arafah in worship, which is one of thethree central integrals of the Hajj rituals.

Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Holy Prophet(blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said:“Fasting the Day of `Arafah [9thof Dhu’l Hijjah] expiates for twoyears, one prior and one forthcoming.” [Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud,Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]